On this page
- How PFA complements state-funded preschool
- Why more preschool seats are needed
- Who qualifies for state programs vs. PFA
- Meeting the needs of working families
- Support for inclusion and infant/toddler care
- Collaboration between PFA and Preschool Promise
- How ERDC fits into the landscape
- PFA’s role in strengthening early learning in Multnomah County
How PFA complements state-funded preschool
From the very beginning, Preschool for All (PFA) was designed to complement – not duplicate – state and federally funded preschool. Many of the community members who helped create the PFA Plan were deeply knowledgeable about Preschool Promise, Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten (OPK), and Head Start. These experts were very familiar with the strengths and limitations of each program, and we incorporated those experiences and learnings into the design of PFA.
PFA builds on state funded preschool to increase the number of preschool seats in Multnomah County. Alignment between PFA and other publicly funded programs is included in both program design and in our current planning. As PFA continues to grow, reaching universal preschool is dependent on Multnomah County, as a region, receiving continued state and federal preschool funding.
Why more preschool seats are needed
Head Start/OPK and Preschool Promise have limited seats. In FY25, there were a total of 2,225 seats across these programs. This is only enough seats for 18% of 3- and 4-year-olds in Multnomah County. Head Start and Preschool Promise have experienced funding decreases under the current federal administration and the most recent state budget. In our current political climate and state budget outlook, it is difficult to see increases in preschool funding happening at the state or federal level for the foreseeable future, and additional funding decreases are very possible.
PFA will have 3,800 seats in FY26, reaching 27% of 3- and 4-year-olds. Our local community is stepping up to meet the needs of young children.
Who qualifies for state programs vs. PFA
Most Multnomah County families don’t meet Head Start/OPK and Preschool Promise income guidelines.
Head Start/OPK requires that families are at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Preschool Promise requires that families are at or below 200% of FPL. Less than 20% of preschool-aged children in Multnomah County live in households under 200% of the FPL. Learn more about children in Multnomah County.
PFA is open to all families in Multnomah County regardless of income. Multnomah County is an expensive place to live, and child care costs are high. Many families can’t afford the cost of preschool, including those above 200% of FPL. PFA uses the Self Sufficiency Standard as a more accurate measure of what low-income means in our community.
For a family of four (including two adults and at least one preschooler), the Self Sufficiency Standard estimates a household would need $110,000 - $124,000 to adequately cover their basic needs. Approximately 43% of Multnomah County households with 3- and 4-year-olds do not meet this Self Sufficiency Standard.
Meeting the needs of working families
Head Start/OPK and Preschool Promise schedules don’t meet the needs of all children and families.
Most Head Start/OPK and Preschool Promise seats operate on a school day/school year schedule. This is really challenging for working families who need longer hours of care for their children.
PFA offers up to a 10 hour per day schedule to meet the needs of families.
Support for inclusion and infant/toddler care
Preschool for All’s model has been celebrated nationally, and the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) is interested in replicating some of PFA’s key supports.
PFA offers providers more support for the inclusion of children with developmental delays and disabilities, with a dedicated team of Inclusion Coordinators and access to inclusion support funds.
PFA also offers providers infant/toddler stabilization funding. This allows providers to increase the wages of teachers who work with babies and toddlers, aligning with Oregon’s pay equity law and increasing the recruitment and retention of these important educators. Infant/toddler stabilization is based on the learnings of other communities that saw decreases in infant/toddler seats when they expanded preschool.
Collaboration between PFA and Preschool Promise
Almost all Preschool Promise providers in Multnomah County also participate in PFA. The braiding, not duplication, of these funds allows our community to benefit from state investment while also filling in the gaps to reach more families. The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) and County staff work closely together to promote alignment. We continue to look for ways that both programs can best meet the needs of families and providers.
How ERDC fits into the landscape
Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) is a supplemental program that primarily offers child care subsidies to qualifying families with children between the ages of 0-13. There is limited funding for ERDC and a waiting list for families. ERDC does not offer families high-quality preschool, it does help some low income families access child care.
PFA’s role in strengthening early learning in Multnomah County
We are proud of the way that Preschool for All has been able to leverage system-level DELC investments to support providers and strengthen the early learning landscape in Multnomah County. That includes PFA funding for:
- Coaching
- Workforce development
- Early childhood mental health
- Professional development, and
- Early learning facilities
Our approach from the beginning has been to identify gaps and barriers to deepen supports, rather than to duplicate DELC efforts.